The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
